Today, we remember the victims of colonial violence in Algeria, a land that endured more than 130 years of French occupation from 1830 to 1962. Across generations, Algerians endured dispossession, repression, forced displacement, famine, and war. During the long struggle for dignity and self-determination—especially during the Algerian War of Independence (1954–1962)—the death toll is estimated at hundreds of thousands to over a million. Each life lost represents a shattered family, a denied future, and a story that deserves remembrance.

We honor the courage of those who resisted colonial rule and paid with their lives. Among the most notable pro-independence leaders killed by French colonial authorities or forces during the war are:

Larbi Ben M’hidi – A founding member of the FLN, captured and executed in 1957.

Didouche Mourad – One of the original FLN leaders, killed in combat with French forces in 1955.

Zighoud Youcef – A key organizer of the Constantinois uprising, killed by French forces in 1956.

Mostefa Ben Boulaïd – A historic leader of the Aurès region, killed in 1956 during the conflict.

Amirouche Aït Hamouda – A prominent FLN military commander, killed by French forces in 1959.

Their names stand alongside many other fighters, villagers, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens who gave their lives for independence.

May this tribute serve not only as a remembrance but also as a call to uphold human dignity, historical truth, and reconciliation. The memory of Algeria’s martyrs endures in the nation’s sovereignty and in the ongoing pursuit of justice and peace.